Delhi-NCR's air pollution crisis is likely to persist over the coming days, with no rain in sight and little change expected in temperatures despite an approaching Western Disturbance. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast no rainfall in the national capital between November 10 and 15, indicating little hope of relief from the toxic air.
As of 6 am, Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 311 (very poor), while several monitoring stations recorded readings close to the 400 mark (severe).
Chandni Chowk recorded the highest AQI at 400, followed by Pusa at 398 and NSUT Jaffarpur at 384. Commonwealth Sports Complex recorded an AQI of 380, while Sirifort stood at 375 and Talkatora Garden at 373.
Other locations also reported elevated pollution levels. Mathura Road recorded an AQI of 372, IIT Delhi 361, Aya Nagar 360, Burari Crossing 364 and Shadipur 325. Lodhi Road recorded an AQI of 324, while Burari stood at 315 and Mandir Marg at 307.
Vasundhara Enclave recorded an AQI of 295, while Tikri Kalan reported 296.
NO RAIN DESPITE WESTERN DISTURBANCE
The approaching Western Disturbance is unlikely to bring any immediate relief to Delhi-NCR. According to the IMD, the weather system is expected to affect the western Himalayan region from tonight.
However, there is no indication of a direct rainfall impact on Delhi.
The weather department has forecast no rain in the capital until November 15. Wind speeds are also expected to remain relatively low, generally ranging between 5 and 15 kmph.
The absence of rainfall and strong winds could mean that pollutants remain trapped in the atmosphere, prolonging the pollution spell across Delhi-NCR.
Light to moderate fog in the morning hours could further add to the problem, with no significant natural intervention expected to disperse pollutants.
WILL TEMPERATURES DIP IN DELHI?
Despite the Western Disturbance, Delhi is unlikely to witness a sharp drop in temperatures over the next few days.
The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures are likely to hover between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius until November 15.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the maximum temperature is expected to settle between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius, with minimum temperatures ranging from 14 to 16 degrees Celsius.
On Thursday, the maximum temperature is likely to remain between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius, while the minimum could range between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.
For Friday and Saturday, the maximum temperature is forecast to be between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius, with minimum temperatures between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.
On November 15, the maximum temperature is expected to remain between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius, while the minimum could settle between 14 and 16 degrees Celsius.
On Monday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16.1 degrees Celsius.
AQI IMPROVED AFTER DIWALI, BUT POLLUTION REMAINS A CONCERN
A Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) report had recorded a marginal improvement in the city's air quality on the morning after Diwali, with the AQI declining to 371 from 382.
The 2.9 per cent improvement was attributed to meteorological factors, including higher wind speeds. Morning wind speeds had increased from 5-10 kmph on Diwali to 10-15 kmph the following morning.
However, the post-Diwali AQI reading of 371 was still the highest recorded for the corresponding morning in the four-year comparison presented in the report.
The overnight decline also contrasted with the trend in the previous three years, when the AQI had increased after Diwali. It rose from 210 to 301 in 2023, from 331 to 359 in 2024 and from 341 to 359 in 2025.
Source:- indiatoday
